Apparatus for raising fluids



Sept. 17, 1935. J. J. CEVERHA APPARATUS FOR RAISING FL UIDS Filed Dec. 12, 1934 Patented Sept. 17, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I 2 Claims.

My invention relates in general to apparatus for raising fluids from one level to a higher predetermined level and, more particularly, to one in which balanced columns of fluid are utilized 5 as a means to assist each other to surge alternately upwards and downward in opposed motion.

The object of my invention is to provide an apparatus to raise fluids great heights with a minimum of effort.

A further object is to provide a simple and easily installed apparatus which, owing to its comparatively effortless operation, needs no heavy machinery, such as powerful engines, etc., for

15 the successful operation with a consequent reduction in cost and operating expenses.

The various features of novelty whereby my invention is characterized will hereinafter be pointed out with particularity in the claims;

20 but, for a full understanding of my invention and of its objects and advantages, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

25 Figure l is an elevation, partly in section, showing one form of my improved apparatus; Fig. 2 shows a slightly modified arrangement of some of the parts shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows another modified form which is the same in ac- 30 tion and principle as Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring to the drawing, and especially Fig. 1, i represents a perforated pipe, the lower end of which rests on the bottom of a well or othersource of supply in which it is placed and acts as a support for the rest of my apparatus. This tube is closed at its upper end by a downwardlyseating check valve 2 in the lowermost end of a casting comprising bores or passages 3, 4, and 6. Lengths of pipe or tubing 1 and 8, threadedly or otherwise secured in the upper ends of the bores 4 and 6, respectively, form long, continuous, vertical channels to any predetermined height as, for instance, the ground level, if the 45 apparatus is operating in an oil well. I provide horizontal extensions 9 and ll] of the tubes 1 and. 8, and in the extension 9 which is the discharge line, as will be hereinafter more fully described, is a check valve II which permits the 50 passage of fluids or the like in the direction of the arrow. A goose neck l2, sealed at its upper end, is provided near the upper end of the tube 1. The open end of the tube I0 is closed by an elbow I3 in which is threadedly, or otherwise, se- 55 cured, a short vertical tube l4. In the tube In,

intermediate its ends, is a double-acting piston l5 secured to a piston rod I6. This piston rod is guided in a packing gland I'l formed on the elbow l3 and is connected with a connecting rod N, which in turn connects with a crank IS on 5 the shaft 20 of a motor or other source of power 2|.

Referring to the casting and the various passages therein, it will be seen that the bores or passages 3 and 5 are separated by a wall 22 having a boss in which a piston rod 23, connecting pistons 24 and 25, is guided.

Communication between passages 3 and 4 is made immediately below the wall 22, while communication between passages 4 and 5 is made adjacent the upper end of the passage 4, and communication between passages 5 and 8 is made immediately above the said wall 22. Assuming that the apparatus has been fully primed with fluid through the priming openings in 9 and I0, the casting, pipes I and 8, horizontal extensions 9 and ID, as well as goose neck l2, completely filled, all air having been expelled therefrom, it will be seen that I have provideda column of fluid in the tube a, the entire weight of which is exerted against the under side of the doubleacting piston 24 in the passage 5, intermediate the junctures therewith of the passages 4 and 6.

The weight of the column of fluid in the tube I is distributed in approximately equal ratio to the 0 passages 3 and 5. Therefore, half, or approximately half, of the load is exerted on the top of piston 24 while the remaining portion of the load is exerted above the piston 25. This distribution of the load, one-half of the weight of which exerting a downward force above one piston, the other half exerting a like force above the other, while the total weight of the fluid in the other tube exerts a concentrated force below meet the pistons equal to that exerted above the two pistons. Thus, an approximate balance of the two columns is established above and below the pistons which causes them to practically float. To provide an air seal for piston l 5, the extension In is filled with oil or other fluid until it reaches a level in the tube I4, which is open at the upper end, only sufficiently high to provide space for the surge of fluid displaced by the movement of reciprocating piston I5.

It will be readily seen that, owing to the balance of weight in the two columns, it will require very little effort to cause one column to rise and the other to fall. Hence, a very small motor may be used to reciprocate the piston l5. This reciprocation, say, for instance, first to the right, as

viewed in the drawing, will raise the fluid in tube I and passage 6 and draw the fluid in passage 5 below piston 24 downwardly, which permits the fluid in tube 1 and passage 4 to follow and assist the fluid in the other column in its upward movement. The fluid displaced in tube 1 is replenished from the goose neck l2, owing to the flow in the discharge pipe 3 being checked in this direction by check valve II which prevents surge in discharge line.

As pistons 24 and 25 fall, a quantity of fluid trapped in the passage 3 between the piston 25 and check valve 2 will pass said piston and, as the movement of the fluid in the two columns is reversed by the reciprocation of piston IS in the opposite direction, the fluid above the piston 25 will be raised thereby. The fluid taken from the goose neck l2 during the down surge will be replaced therein, and the surplus raised in passage 3 will be forced past the valve ll into the discharge line. Owing to the slight effort required to eflect these results, the piston l5 may be rapidly reciprocated to cause a continuous flow in the discharge line.

Referring to Fig. 2, is a conduit separated from a similar conduit 3| by a partition wall 32 immediately above which communication is made between the conduit 3| and a conduit 33. A bypass 34 connects conduits 30 and 3|. Pistons identical with those described in my preferred form of apparatus are situated in the conduits 30 and 3|. The operation of this form is exactly the same as that previously described.

Referring to Fig. 3, 40 represents a conduit separated from a conduit ll by a partition wall 42. A sleeve l3 surrounding conduits ill and 4| and spaced therefrom provides a by-pass to connect said conduits through ports 44 and 45. A

means for maintaining fluids in balanced columns, a pulsator to shift said columns in opposite directions simultaneously, a piston disposed to receive the balanced weight of the columns on opposite sides thereof and float freely with the fluid as it is moved in flrst one direction and then the opposite, a by-pass, a pump plunger or piston arranged in said by-pass and connected to and operated by said floating piston, and a check valve positioned in the by-pass below said pump plunger.

2. Substantially parallel vertical conduits provided at their uppermost extremities with horizontal extensions, a piston in one of said extensions, and a motor or other source of power to reciprocate said piston, a check valve in the other horizontal or discharge extension, a reservoir at or near the uppermost end of the vertical discharge conduit, an intake conduit, a bypass connecting the discharge conduit wlth said intake conduit, connected pistons so disposed in the conduits as to be balanced by the equal distribution of the weight, both above and below, of the contents of the vertical conduits and bypass, and a check valve so disposed in this intake or supply conduit-as to prevent the return of 3 fluids or the like which have entered said conduit from the source of supply.

JOHN LCEVERHA. 

